शिखायां बद्धसूत्रस्य शिखया तच्छिखां गुरुः । आबध्याहतवस्त्रेण तमाच्छाद्य च वर्मणा
śikhāyāṃ baddhasūtrasya śikhayā tacchikhāṃ guruḥ | ābadhyāhatavastreṇa tamācchādya ca varmaṇā
ついで गुरु(師)は、弟子の頂髻(śikhā)を頭頂で紐により固く結び留めた。結び終えると、護りの衣で覆い、さらに鎧(varma)をも着せた。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Īśāna
It portrays dīkṣā as a disciplined re-orientation of the seeker: the Guru ‘binds’ the outward faculties (symbolized by the śikhā and cord) and places the disciple under sacred protection, indicating the Guru’s grace that guards the aspirant while inner purification proceeds toward Pati (Śiva).
Before approaching Saguna Shiva in Linga-worship, the aspirant is ritually prepared and protected—signifying steadiness, purity, and containment of distractions—so worship becomes a focused offering of the self rather than a merely external act.
A dīkṣā-style preparation: securing the śikhā (discipline/niyama), wearing protective cloth/armour (symbolic kavaca through mantra), and entering worship with guarded senses—often paired in Shaiva practice with mantra-japa (e.g., Panchakshara) as spiritual protection.